Visa requirements
Passport: is generally required for travel to Zimbabwe, the passport must be valid for one month after the stay.
Visa: Generally required
Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland can get paid visas on arrival for tourist stays of up to 90 days, provided they can show return or onward travel documents and sufficient financial means for the duration of the stay.
German nationals pay the following fees when entering Harare, Bulawayo, or Victoria Falls airports and at border crossings: $ 30 (one entry), $ 45 (two entries), and $ 55 (valid for 6 months, multiple entries) in foreign currency in cash. If you have a diplomatic or service passport, you can get the Zimbabwe visa at the border free of charge. The German children’s passport is recognized, but it must be valid for one month after the stay.
If you would like to extend your visa to Zimbabwe or visit additional Zimbabwe countries, you can go to the Department of Immigration, Linquenda House, Nelson Mandela Ave. apply for a visa extension or multiple entry visa. However, it is also possible to apply for a visa change or extension in the respective Department of Immigration in the larger cities of Zimbabwe. It is recommended to change or extend the visa in good time.
If you are entering Zimbabwe from a country where there is a risk of yellow fever, you must have an international vaccination card with a valid yellow fever vaccination. If you are arriving from Germany via London or Johannesburg, this vaccination does not have to be proven.
Transit: Transit travelers who fly on within 6 hours, do not leave the airport and have valid travel documents do not need a transit visa.
Period of validity: Visas are valid for stays of up to 6 months
Application: In person or by post at the consular section of the embassy.
Residence permit: Written application to the Chief Immigration Officer, Private Bag 7717, Causeway, Harare.
Documents: Tourist Visa: an original visa application (no copy, no fax) – a passport photo – passport still valid for at least 6 months – a travel booking confirmation – proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay (account statement or bank confirmation)
Business Visa: additionally a company letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip with confirmation of the cost assumption, complete address and telephone number – invitation from the business partner in Zimbabwe with information about the person invited, as well as information about the purpose and duration of the stay.
Here you can download the visa application form for Zimbabwe.
Cost of issuing a Visa: single entry: EUR 46.00, double entry: EUR 62.00, multiple entry: EUR 77.00
Processing time: about 2 weeks
Sufficient funds: Foreigners must have sufficient funds.
Entry with children:
Germany: Children need their own passport (children’s passport or electronic passport) to enter Zimbabwe.
Austria: own passport for children.
Switzerland: own passport for children.
The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents.
Vaccinations: Information on international vaccination certificates that are required for entry can be found in the chapter Zimbabwe – Health.
Special customs regulations: If you want to export and sell large quantities of handicrafts or Shona sculptures from Zimbabwe, you must have a Zimbabwean customs permit. As the regulations can change quickly, we recommend that you obtain information on the current implementing regulations from the customs authorities in Harare.
For hunting trips, it is permitted to import personal hunting weapons such as rifles (but not automatic long guns and handguns) and ammunition to Zimbabwe. For this you need a “Temporary Import Permit”, which is issued at international airports in Zimbabwe.
Money
National currency: 1 Zimbabwe dollar is divided into 100 cents.
Currency abbreviation: Z $, ZWD – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
In April 2009, the government suspended the Zimbabwe dollar. Accepted means of payment are primarily the US dollar and the South African rand, some other foreign currencies. The government hopes that this measure will end inflation and will not reintroduce its own currency until the country can have supporting industries. Since there are hardly any coins in Zimbabwe for US dollars and rand, the bills are rounded up or down accordingly.
Travelers should therefore bring the appropriate amount of cash with them for their stay. Carrying larger amounts of cash increases the risk of theft. It is therefore advisable to store larger amounts of money in hotel safes or similar. to deposit.
In the event of a lack of money or loss of the travel funds brought along, there is the option of having small amounts transferred from Germany via Western Union. A branch is located at Harare at 12 Samora Machel Avenue. In Germany, Western Union works with the travel bank, which can be found at train stations in all major cities.
Currency exchange: All common currencies can be exchanged at authorized banks, hotels and exchange offices at the official exchange rate. $ 100 banknotes are unlikely to be accepted as a large number of counterfeits have emerged.
Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted, Eurocard is less common, MasterCard is not accepted. In shops that are geared towards tourists, you can usually pay with credit cards.
Traveler’s checks: Accepted in banks and large hotels, but are increasingly no longer accepted. An exhibition in US dollars or UK pounds is recommended.
ATMs: some Barclays Bank ATMs accept Visa cards. In Victoria Falls, US dollars can be withdrawn at the Barclays Bank ATM using Visa cards (however, there is no guarantee that sufficient US dollars will always be available).
Foreign exchange regulations: Foreign currencies can be imported indefinitely, but must be declared upon entry. The export of foreign currencies is also subject to declaration.
Bank opening times: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wed 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sat 8.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
Health and Diseases
A yellow fever vaccination is required when entering a yellow fever area. The health service of the Federal Foreign Office recommends vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A for all travelers, and hepatitis B for long-term stays of more than three months. With special exposure (e.g. stay in the country, hunting, jogging) vaccination against rabies and typhoid can also be useful.
HIV / AIDS is a major problem in the country (up to 25% of the adult population is infected) and a major danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas can pose a life-threatening risk.
Prophylaxis: Hygienic eating and drinking (only boiled, nothing warming up) can prevent most diarrhea, and consistent mosquito repellent (repellents, mosquito net, covering clothing, behavior) means that many other tropical and infectious diseases can be completely avoided. This also includes malaria.
Protection against malaria is required for areas under 1200 m all year round (increased risk from November to June inclusive) and especially in the north (Zambezi Valley, Kariba Basin, Victoria Falls). There is very little risk in Harare and Bulawayo. The predominant, more dangerous type of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is said to be chloroquine resistant. Various prescription medications (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the marketfor malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis.
Medical care cannot be compared to that in Europe and is often problematic in terms of technology, equipment and / or hygiene. Due to the deteriorating medical care in state hospitals and inadequate equipping of pharmacies with medication, travelers should carry a well-stocked individual first-aid kit with them. Advice on this from a tropical doctor or travel doctor is also useful.
Doctors and qualified nursing staff are often missing (especially in rural areas). In the event of an accident, insists, if possible, on admission to a private hospital in Bulawayo or Harare. However, admission to private and state hospitals only takes place if either prepayment is made or a guarantee is given. Due to the often lacking medical prerequisites for a necessary treatment on site, it is also recommended to take out a travel health insurance that is valid worldwide and includes an ambulance rescue flight before starting the trip.
Hospitals / Dentists in Harare: Trauma Center, 17 Lanark Rd, Belgravia, Tel: 700666, 700668 (modern emergency room); The Avenues Clinic, cnr Baines Avenue / Mazowe Street, Tel: 251180, 251199 (well-equipped private clinic); Parirenyatwa Hospital, Mazowe Street, Tel: 701555, 701556, 701557 (largest state hospital with declining standards). German-speaking doctor in Harare: Dr. B Göthje-Watermeyer, Suite 203, 2nd Floor, Medical Center 52, Baines Avenue Tel: 790240, 727101 (general practitioner). Ambulance Service / Air Rescue: Medical Air Rescue Service (Pvt.) Ltd. , 3, Elcombe Avenue Belgravia, Tel: 734513/4/5.
Bilharzia germs can come across the country before in some ponds and rivers, swimming and paddling in fresh water should be avoided. Well-maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are harmless.
The foot-and-mouth disease(FMD) is endemic in Zimbabwe and is nationally before. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with animals.
Pest occurs in the Matabeleland North region. Protection against rats and fleas through safe sleeping places and frequent changing of linen, as well as keeping away those who are already sick, reduce the risk of infection. When working in plague areas, the prophylactic use of antibiotics is recommended.
The sleeping sicknessoccurs nationwide. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended.
Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, professional risk groups and for longer stays. Get medical attention as soon as possible in the event of bite wounds.
Health certificate: For a permanent residence and work permit, the submission of a health certificate in English is required, which shows that the traveler is free from contagious diseases, especially tuberculosis. A chest X-ray must be included, and the X-ray film should be included if possible.
Due to the risk of possible infections, careful drinking water and food hygiene must be observed. In large cities, tap water is usually chlorinated and relatively safe, but may May cause slight stomach upset. Bottled water is therefore recommended for the first few weeks of your stay. Outside the big cities, drinking water is not always germ-free and should be sterilized. Milk is not pasteurized and should be boiled. Mix dry and canned milk only with aseptic water. It is best to avoid dairy products from uncooked milk. Meat or fish dishes should only be cooked well and served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Travel opportunities on site in Zimbabwe
Safety note : When traveling to Zimbabwe, it must be borne in mind that the difficult political, economic and social situation of the population has led to an increase in crime. Pickpocketing and “smash and grab” raids are particularly common in the inner cities of Harare and Bulawayo. In the car, the windows should therefore always be closed and the doors locked from the inside. Handbags, cameras, etc. should not be visible in the car, walks should not be undertaken after dark.
Plane: Domestic connections with Air Zimbabwe (UM) from Harare to Bulawayo (daily), Gweru, Masvingo, Buffalo Range and to the Victoria Falls (daily).
Ship: There are boats for rent in Kariba. Trips over Lake Kariba and charter trips are popular and are also offered quite cheaply. Sometimes a ferry runs between Kariba and Mlinizi on the opposite side of the lake.
Rail: Trains the National Railways of Zimbabwe travel between Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Victoria Falls. Trains are usually slow and accidents due to poor maintenance are not uncommon.
Car: The road network in Zimbabwe is relatively well developed, paved roads connect the larger cities and open up rural areas. Left-hand traffic and seatbelts. Diesel and petrol are only sporadically available at petrol stations. All vehicles must have a fire extinguisher and two warning triangles. In addition, there must be white reflectors on the front of the vehicle and red reflectors on the rear.
Rental Cars: are available at airports, hotels and most tourist areas. Documents: if the national driving license is not available in English, an international driving license is required.
Speed limits: within towns: 60 km / h,
on country roads: 120 km / h
Bus: In small and large cities, buses run at large intervals. There are bus connections between the cities.
City traffic: The buses in Harare and Bulawayo are always well above their maximum and a very uncomfortable means of transport. The tickets must be purchased before you start your journey.
Taxis: There are numerous taxis available at taxi stands in the main centers and at all hotels and restaurants. Taxis are preferable to buses.
Tourist highlights in Zimbabwe
The highlands consist of a chain of low mountains that extend from the northeast to the southwest in the middle of the country. Here is the most densely populated area of Zimbabwe. Harara, the commercial and industrial center of Zimbabwe, is the starting point for safaris and travel in the country for most visitors. Because of the sunny climate, Harare has the nickname “Sunshine City”. Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, also an important commercial and industrial center. A visit to the National Museum can be worthwhile. Near the city are the ancient Khami ruins and to the south is the popular Rhodes Matopos National Park with bizarre formations of granite blocks.
Parks and reserves cover about 11% of the total area of Zimbabwe. In addition to the national parks, the country also has several botanical gardens, reserves and safari areas where hunting is permitted (hunting is subject to strict controls and the proceeds are to be used to protect species).
The Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest national park with 14,620 sq km. The biodiversity of the animal world is terrific. Roads lead from the park’s safari camps to areas where most of the animals can be seen. High points for tourists have been installed at some water points. Hwange is one of the largest elephant reserves, and huge herds of elephants can be seen at the water holes, especially towards the end of the dry season in September.
The largest waterfalls in the world and undoubtedly the largest natural spectacle in Africa, the Victoria Falls, are located 120 km from Hwange National Park. They are about 1.7 km wide and 550 million liters of water plunge into a narrow gorge over 100 m per minute. The spray can still be seen from a distance of 30 km. The most beautiful impression of the size of the Victoria Falls can be obtained on a sightseeing flight with a small plane or on a boat trip on the Zambezi. You can also cross the border into Zambia without lengthy formalities to see the waterfalls from the other side.
In the nearby Zambezi National Park, visitors can observe rare animals such as the sable antelope.
Zimbabwe’s possibly most beautiful park is the 2196 sq km Mana Pools National Park on the banks of the Zambezi. Much of the park is forested; Hippos, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and many antelope species live here on and in the Zambezi. Visitors can find animals on foot (this is only possible in a few national parks in Africa). A large number of bird species live in the bush and in the bank vegetation. Tiger fish, bream and large vundu occur in the river. The park is closed from November to March.
In the northwest on the border with Zambia is the 7770 sq km Lake Kariba. Luxurious safari camps, excursion boats and safari buses are available to visitors.
A trip to the Zimbabwe ruins of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, the largest surviving historic site in southern Africa, is well worth it. The ruins are the remains of a city-state that lives from the gold trade and had its heyday in the Middle Ages. The temple was built from hand-made stones without the use of mortar. The nearby Gonarezhou National Park is known for its bird life and rare animal species. With the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the park belongs to the transnational Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP). For security reasons, the reservations may not be driven on by motorcycle.
The Inyangani, Vumba and Chimanimani mountain ranges in the eastern highlands are one of the most popular holiday areas in Zimbabwe. At 2,592 m, the Inyangani is the highest mountain in Zimbabwe. Valleys, gorges, slopes, streams and steep rock faces dominate the landscape.